By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), on Friday, 13th December, 2024 observed Farewell and Pulling-Out Ceremony at Julius Maada Bio Parade Square at Wilberforce Barracks, Freetown in honour of the recently retired Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant-General Peter Kakowou Lavahun.
The military Ceremony marked the exit and disengagement of the retired cds from the armed forces. it also marked the last time that the former defence chief was claded in military regalia and accorded full ceremonial honour.
The former Defence Chief said that it was a moment of mixed emotions for him. “It is a moment of joy because I have reached the finishing line of my career after 36 years of service. However, it is also a moment of tears because I have left you as ‘work mate’ forever”, he added.
Lieutenant-General Lavahun mentioned that his tenure as CDS was a period marked with unprecedented security challenges. He paid tribute to all the gallant men and women that worked with him well and firmly stood by him to overcome the daunting security challenges.
The former Defence Chief reminded RSLAF soldiers that uniform they were cladded in was a symbol of honor, sacrifice and service. “It also represents the trust that the People of Sierra Leone have placed in you to safeguard their lives and properties”, he said.
Lieutenant-General Lavahun told the soldiers that loyalty was the bedrock of military service. “Loyalty must not waive to any political party, individuals or interest groups. Your allegiance must be to the Constitution, the Government and the People of Sierra Leone”, he said.
The former Defence Chief entreated the soldiers to stay focus and remain apolitical. “Don’t be influenced by unscrupulous and misguided individuals. Your actions must always reflect what RSLAF stands for”, he said.
Lieutenant-General Lavahun appealed to the citizens to help RSLAF maintain its apolitical nature. He told the audience that the strength, effectiveness and reputation of RSLAF depend on not only the soldiers but also the citizens. “As a good citizen, you must resist the urge to drag soldiers into politics. You owe the duty to respect their role as neutral guardian of peace and stability”, he concluded.
Before his farewell speech, the retired CDS formally handed over the baton of leadership to the newly appointed CDS, major-general Amara Idara Bangura.
At the climax of the solemn traditional military Occasion, the former Defence Chief and his wife, Mrs Bintu Lavahun (who was the President of the Armed Forces Wives’ Co-operative Society) were conveyed in a parade vehicle and symbolically pulled out of military barracks by a troop of Generals led by the new CDS, Major-General Bangura.
Lieutenant-General Lavahun was enlisted into RSLAF in November, 1988 at Moa Barrack, Daru in Kailahun District. He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in July 1991 at the then Benguema Training Centre (BTC) near Waterloo in the Western Rural District – which has been renamed as Armed Forces Training Centre (AFTC).
Three-Star General Lavahun was appointed as CDS on 12th august, 2022. his appointment came two days after the bloody protest in some parts of the country, namely, east-END FREETOWN (in western urban district), Tintafor in Port Loko District, Makeni in Bombali District, Magburaka in Tonkolili District and Kamakwe in Bombali District.
During the politically motivated protest, a total of six unarmed police personnel were chased, captured, beaten and stoned to death in some of the above-mentioned areas. the brutally killed police personnel were Superintendent Osman Fofanah, Sergeant Tommy Munda, Sergeant Desmond Hanciles, Sergeant Ibrahim Jalloh, Constable Charles E Kumba Smart and Constable Abu Bakarr Turay.
Lieutenant-General Lavahun (who was the number two man at the time) contained the violent demonstration in support of the then newly appointed Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu.
Lieutenant-General Lavahun acted swiftly and diligently to deal with the protest. This was the period when his boss and predecessor, Lieutenant-General Sullay Ibrahim Sesay had traveled out of the country on official assignment.
On Tuesday, 19th November, 2024, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Chairman of the Defence Council, Brigadier-General (Retired) Julius Maada Maada, (who is also the President) announced the retirement of Lieutenant-General Lavahun alongside his number two man, Major-General Fred Dauda Alpha – who was Commander Joint Force (CJF).
Both Three-Star General Lavahun and Two-Star General Alpha were, however, appointed as Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya and Deputy High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria respectively.
While retired Lieutenant-General Lavahun has been replaced by Major-General Amara Idara Bangura (who was the Head of all military operations), the replacement of
retired Major-General Alpha has not been announced yet. In the interim, the Commander of 3 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General Albert Jusu is acting as CJF.
Ten days after the retirement of the two top-ranking commanders, the retirements of 70 other officers were also announced on friday, 29th november, 2022. fifty-three officers were retired on grounds of age and performance while 17 were slammed with marching orders for prolonged absence without leave (awol) and misconduct. among the 53 officers were two generals: major-general cf marah and commodore pj juana.
Until their retirements, Major-General Marah was Chief of Staff (COS) of Ministry of Defence and Commodore Juana Wasw, Chief of Naval Staff of RSLAF Maritime Wing. Unlike Commodore Juana, Major-General Marah has just been appointed as Head of Sierra Leone’s regulatory agency for small arms and light weapons.
He gave short notes that Commodore is a rank of the naval force. It is equivalent the rank of brigadier-general in the army. in accordance with section 165 (1) of the constitution of sierra Leone act no. 6 of 1991, RSLAF is operationally compartmentalized into three services: (1) the army guards the country’s landscape, (2) the navy secures the water space and (3) the air force protects the airspace.